My kids crack me up. This past week has been an interesting story. My kids have noticed that beanie babies have hearts that have a story, a name, and a birthday. My kids have learned all about responsibility. All of our beanie babies have lost their tags. The kids are sad because now we don't know all of the beanie babies names or birthdays. We only have 8 of the tags and they love to check them out randomly.
So on Monday it was Slippery the seals birthday. The kids wanted me to bring in cake so instead of that I brought them all a mini pez. :-). They were super excited! 
Then today, Thursday was Sr. Squirrel's birthday. This was the first beanie baby that I brought to the classroom. I made the kids cupcakes last night and they were super excited. No one could belive that I made them myself. Today we sang happy brithday to him and I recorded it, I hope you can hear it. :-) Also today, one of my kids brought in a present for the beanie baby. They brought little plastic soccer balls, a mini rocking horse, and perfume so he doesn't stink. It cracked me up.
I'm sitting in the airport in Des Moines just waiting for my plane and to fly to Huston and then to Torreon! I am hoping that when we get home we will have heat and warm water, some of my friends (other teachers) who are down there already don't have any! It could be very chilly and by that I of course mean 50 degrees :-) I can't wait to not freeze with layers on! I am also very excited to get into my classroom and put together some of the things I'm bringing back and to just prepare for this second half of the year! Plus, I need to do all my grades before Thursday! Yikes :-). My principal told me the day before we were flying home that grades would be do the Thursday we're back for teaching.....oops. that could have been useful to have earlier :-). Oh well! I hope that you all have a wonderful week! I will try and be better at blogging this month :-)
I hope and pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year :-). That you are all doing well and aren't freezing in this winter! I hope that this year is full of many blessings for each one of you and that you are surrounded with love from those around you :-)
r letting us crash Christmas at the farm, for friends who met me for lunch, shopping, dinner, baking cookies, making almond bark pretzels, booking trips for spring break, drinking hot chocola
te, eatting chinese, it was a WONDERFUL two weeks at home to which I tell you all thanks!!! Andrea and Phil thanks for spending so much time with us and letting me hang out with the kids lots and for playing games.....yes- even clue :-) I miss you all already and am looking forward to seeing you all again in July!! :-) 
pictures and just "sound it out". Then his mom had made his favorite cookies and his dad did magic tricks for us to learn about :-) I
t was an interesting experience and awesome to be a part of something that is the "normal" for these kiddos. This has been super fun for me to get to know the kids as well as for the kids to be proud of their families and those that love them :-). It helps me to know where the kids are coming from and the things that make each one of them special and unique and I think that they appreciate that a lot.. It has been good lessons in respect and gratitude (we always make thank you books for the parents...) It also lets us experience fun things in our classroom on Fridays.